Holiday airfares are experiencing their steepest increase in a decade, with domestic round-trip flights for Thanksgiving averaging $402 and Christmas flights reaching $452. According to Hopper's 2024 Holiday Travel Index, these prices represent a 31% rise for Thanksgiving and a 23% increase for Christmas compared to the previous year.
International travel costs have also climbed, with fares to Europe up 15% and flights to Mexico and Central America increasing by 23%. Hopper attributes these soaring prices primarily to elevated jet fuel costs, exacerbated by global conflicts.
"Travelers looking ahead to Thanksgiving and Christmas travel will need to plan ahead for a larger travel budget this year, as the 2024 holiday travel is on track to be the most expensive in a decade," the report stated. "Months of elevated jet fuel costs due to the conflict in Iran have contributed to Thanksgiving and Christmas airfares reaching 10-year highs."
Gary Leff, an aviation expert and founder of the blog "View from the Wing," highlighted that the increased costs will disproportionately affect families. "It's a much bigger deal when you're multiplying increases by, you know, four or more passengers," Leff told Fox News Digital.
For those still planning their holiday travel, Leff suggests continuously monitoring flight prices. Travelers may be able to secure a refund for the difference if fares drop after booking, provided they have not purchased a basic economy ticket, as most tickets no longer carry change fees. "You buy now and the fare drops, you just have to watch it," he advised. "Don't just buy it and then never look again."
Leff cautioned that traditional cost-saving measures, such as opting for alternative airports or booking connecting flights, may not always be advantageous during the busy holiday season. The added costs of transportation to a farther airport or the potential for delays with connecting flights can offset perceived savings. He also recommended considering the use of accumulated airline miles for future travel.